Carma Blair Karren

“In life, we loved you dearly. In death, we love you still. In our hearts, you hold a special place no one will ever fill.”

Carma (Blair) Karren, born August 30, 1925, was reunited with her eternal companion, parents, loved ones, and many close friends, on December 20, 2022. We are heartbroken to see her go, but we know she was ready, and we know that we will be with her again

Carma was born in Preston, Idaho, to Anthony Lucien Blair and Leona (Jackson) Blair. She lived in Lewiston, Utah, all of her growing-up years. She had a sister, Gayle’dean, and a brother, Vaughn, but she was the only child for seven years. She was her daddy’s girl! She had black curly hair, a bubbly personality, and a smile you could never forget.

She grew up on a small farm, where her father raised and trained “American Saddler Horses” for show. He was also the Lewiston City Sheriff. Her mother worked at the Lewiston Drug Store at the soda counter. Carma learned from her parents to work hard all her life, and she never complained about doing so. She loved to be busy, and she loved people.

In 1943, she met her future husband, Boyd H. Karren, while singing in the Lewiston Ward Choir. He had just returned home from his mission in the Western States. They dated for the summer, then Boyd was drafted into the Army and shipped to New York. He was assigned to go to Utah Beach in France at the beginning of World War II.

Boyd was wounded twice in the war and spent 11 months in a hospital in France. When he was feeling better, he sent a letter to Carma asking her to marry him. She was thrilled and said yes! When Boyd was finally healed enough to go home, they were married on March 15, 1945, in the Logan LDS Temple. They were blessed with four children, Jolene, Margo, Danny, and Rex, whom they loved dearly.

Carma had a beautiful singing voice. She sang Barbershop music with the "Sweet Adelines" for many years. She was also a talented pianist. She taught her children to love music and accompanied them and their friends when they sang on many special occasions. Music was her great love! If music was playing, she would always be tapping her foot and patting her hand on her knee with that beautiful smile, especially if her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren were performing.

Most of her church callings involved playing the piano or conducting the music in Relief Society or Primary. The children adored her!! She made music so much fun with all her visual aids. She also served as a den mother for the Cub Scouts, Relief Society 2nd Counselor, Relief Society Teacher, and Visiting Teacher.

Carma loved to sew. She made the most beautiful Easter dresses for Jolene and Margo yearly and little suits for Danny and Rex. She made dance costumes, and all the girl's school clothes until they went to high school. One Christmas, Carma was making Jolene and Margo skirts and knitted sweaters. She wanted them to be surprised, so she blindfolded them so they could try them on. She quickly marked the hems and made sure the sweaters fit. They were still surprised on Christmas morning to see their new outfits.

Carma was extremely frugal. She went without many of the frills of life but never complained. She was independent, genuine, and down to earth, and she never wanted to be a burden to anyone, especially her family.

Carma was a devoted wife. Because of her husband's injuries in the war, he suffered a lifetime of chronic pain and illness that affected him in many ways. Although it was difficult and had challenges, Carma stood by him through all that he went through.
Carma was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She could hardly wait to snuggle the new babies as they came along. She was so proud of her family! She made each person feel special, supported, and loved.

Carma was a fun and creative mother. She decorated for every special occasion or holiday. She painted beautiful scenes on the big living room window for each holiday. Christmas was her children's favorite! In the winter, when the family lived in Logan, Utah, she spent hours making the perfect ice-skating pond in the backyard. She stomped the snow and watered it every night until it was smooth and perfect for skating. She made her girls skating skirts to go over their leggings and knit the three older children's scarfs and hats to keep them warm. She took a record player outside so her children had music to skate to. She tied baby brother Rex onto an old rocking chair so that he could be part of the ice fun. She loved watching her children push him around and enjoy each other.

Carma enjoyed baking goodies. Her children were so excited when they got home from school and could smell homemade bread, sugar donuts, or raisin-filled cookies waiting for them. They also enjoyed a bowl of Carma's beautiful, bottled fruit, peaches, pears, cherries, and apricots. For breakfast, she  would pour her homemade chokecherry syrup on a stack of hot pancakes. So yummy!
Speaking of Carma's many talents, she learned to oil paint, knit, crochet, and make ceramics. She made quilts for her children and grandchildren. Each Christmas, the family looked forward to a knit scarf, stocking cap, slippers, or a handmade Christmas ornament to hang on their trees. She made everything she gave!!!!

Carma was full of adventure and would try everything at least once! She and Boyd went three-wheeling and camping with Jolene's family at the sand dunes one year. Dennis taught her to ride his big Kawasaki motorcycle. She was always a good sport.Carma and Boyd spent a lot of time in the Northwest with Margo's family. She loved all their trips up there; whether it was a ferry ride, digging for clams, boating, or camping, she treasured every experience. Each year the family would gather for a family reunion, and this gathering was one of the main highlights of her year. When she was 88, she played kickball at one of these reunions on the 4th of July. Two of her adult grandsons held her under her arms as she kicked the ball. Everyone was laughing and cheering for her!

Carma loved to color and play table games with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When anyone came to visit her, there was always a plate of goodies waiting to be eaten. She was so thoughtful!

Carma lost her companion Boyd to cancer in 1991. That was a difficult adjustment in her life, but she continued working and trying to make the best of her situation, always being an example to her family. She used to say, “There’s no sense worrying about what we can't change. We need to remember how blessed we are."

Carma worked as a manager for Barnes Gift Shop in Bountiful for many years, then became a dental receptionist until she finally retired at age 76. Pretty amazing!

Carma gave of herself in every way, bringing joy to others! Her love was strong and always unconditional!

MOTHER, YOU LEFT US BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES; YOUR LOVE IS STILL OUR GUIDE, AND ALTHOUGH WE CANNOT SEE YOU, YOU'RE ALWAYS AT OUR SIDE!

To all who have been a part of our mother's life, THANK YOU so much for your kindness and love.

Carma is survived by her daughter Jolene (Dennis) Beck, daughter Margo (Bill) Evans, son Danny (LaDawn) Karren, son Rex Karren, 13 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Boyd H Karren; her parents, Anthony Lucien and Leona (Jackson) Blair, brother, Vaughn Blair, daughter-in-law, Sheila Karren, granddaughter, Ashlyn Karren; and one great-grandson, Riley Person. Her dear sister Gayle'dean (Blair) Bradford passed away four days after Carma on December 24, 2022.

We will celebrate Carma's beautiful life at a funeral service on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held from 9:00-9:45 a.m. at the mortuary prior to the funeral. Interment will be at the Lewiston City Cemetery in Lewiston, Utah.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the services and will be posted below.

The family would like to thank "Truewood by Merrill" and "Heritage Place Assisted Living" for their special care and love for our mother since March 2020.